Copps: Most Stations Could Move Earlier Than June 12

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Copps has replied to Reps Joe Barton (R-TX) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) saying 61% of TV stations (1,089) should be able to turn off their analog signal before June 12 if they choose to without causing interference to other stations, and that "most" of the remaining 700 or so stations "may" also be able to do so. In the letter, Chairman Copps also told Reps Barton and Stearns that, as of Feb. 2, the FCC had received or granted requests form 143 stations that have already turned off analog, and that an additional 60 had said they were going to do so before Feb 17. In addition, he said, 276 had indicated, even though they were not required to, that they would be ending analog on Feb. 17, though he pointed out some of those could change their minds if the analog cut-off date is extended.